Lighting Up The Lawn on D – A Transformative Outdoor Space in Boston

HR&A is pleased to announce our partnership with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority(MCCA) in the launch of The Lawn on D, an innovative outdoor event space which celebrated its official opening on August 15th. “By having The Lawn On D, we’re taking another step in having the city be more innovative,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh at the opening event. “It’s another step in showcasing our city… giving people places to come, giving kids places to come… It gives the neighborhood a sense of pride.”

Located on D Street at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC), this exciting 2.7-acre space uses innovative programming, including free public festivals and events, lawn games, food trucks, public art exhibitions and cultural offerings, and free Wi-Fi to attract diverse audiences to the Innovation District and strengthen the connection of the BCEC to the surrounding urban fabric.

Last night we celebrated the opening of Swing Time, which lights up the space with an architectural “swing” installation. This interactive installation, equal parts artwork and playscape, features an ethereal network of 20 glowing doughnut-shaped swings. Designed by Meejin Yoon and Eric Höweler of Höweler + Yoon Architectureto encourage physical interaction, the colors of the swings change with the rider’s movement, creating a technicolor glowing effect generated by the motion of the swings. At last night’s opening reception, we turned the lights on and celebrated the experimental outdoor space with a live swing band, bocce, ping-pong, food trucks, and a special Swing Time cocktail in the tent! For those of you not in Boston, check out Swing Time in action here.

HR&A, with support from Chris Wangro, has played a pivotal role in developing and implementing comprehensive public programming on behalf of the MCCA, providing program design, business planning, budget management, and program administration services for the project. The Lawn on D, which was designed by Sasaki Associates, has become a lively gathering space for the Fort Point, South Boston, and Innovation District neighborhoods.

In addition to The Lawn on D, HR&A is currently involved in a number of other projects within our program design and implementation practice area. HR&A is administering NYC BigApps 2014, the largest civic technology competition in the world, awarding over $100,000 in prizes to teams developing the best apps, connected devices, and other digital products that improve civic life in New York. We also designed and produced Take the HELM, Staten Island Storefronts, and Talking Transition, three programs that have helped to support economic development and civic engagement throughout New York City.